DRAUGHTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 65

DRAUGHTS.

CONDUCTED DY

JAS BEROOT.

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PROBLEM 6525. By Maurice Hammer. Black 5,7, 9, 10, 13, King 19.

White 8, 14, 17, 18, 21, 22, King 4. Black to move and draw. PROBLEM 6526. By J. E. Webster. Black 20, 23, 27, King 22.

White 30, 32, King 15. White to move, Black wins. Our selected problems this week are taken from Willie Ryan's latest number of the Checkergram, In which he says, No. 6525: “ Hammer had considerable fun ■with this setting in New York, betting the boys coffee and cake they couldn’t solve it in a limited time. Hammer ate regularly for over a week." No. 652 G: “ Here’s a neat little ending you’ll enjoy solving. . A good player should be able to spy the win without touching a piece. A little gem.’’ GAMES. DRAUGHTS IN AUSTRALIA. The following pair of games were played between two well-known New South Wales country players. The games and notes are taken from the Melbourne Leader, edited by “ Chequers.’’ GAME 8043. —“ Wagram.” Black: A. E. Brown, Curlewis; White: W. M’Laughlin, Macksville.

—Notes by A. E. Brown.— (a) I was hoping for the 21 17 line when 5 9, 17 13, 9 14, 29 25, and then 15 IS was intended, although the late Mr Tescheleit considers it is doubtful. (b) The opening has now developed into a line of the " Defiance.’' <c) 11 16 seems to lead to an easy draw, a line I would have taken had tho move been against me. (d) The novice should note this is the only way to draw, for if 10 14 is played the piece on 11 Is lost GAME 8044.—" Wagram.”

(a) Forms a most equal opening. (b) Seems the most natural move; 29 25 is a good alternative, that is easily transferable to various " Kelso ’* openings. (c) Seeking fresh fields and pastures new “ Master Play ” gives both 31 27 and 32 27 to draw. (Note by " Chequers ”: This 24 19 move seems to be sound. Instead of 11 16 at the twenty-third move 7 10 also looks strong, but White has a safe draw.) (d) Seems to embody the views of safety first. (e) An evenly contested game. CHECKER THEORETICS. This game was played on March 24 at Chicago, Illinois, between Joseph Stevenson, crack Chicago player, whose ability is well shown in this game, and John T. Denvir, author of Denvir’s “ Traps and Shots,” etc. The notes are by Mr Denvir, specially prepared for the Checkergram. GAME 8045.—" Bristol.” Black: Joseph Stevenson; W’hite: J. T. Denvir.

(a) 11 15 followed by 7 11 would possibly be stronger. (b) Tho position abounds In many interesting changes that may have a tendency to please. We diagram the setting for readers.

(c) Try this to draw: 24 19 «24 23 18 10 17 27 18 310 10 14 28 19 16 23 21 14 6 10 Drawn 17 10 7 10 18 14 1 6 14 7 (d) After tho conclusion of this game we tried the following, which resulted in an exceedingly neat finish :—

—Drawn. (e) 20 24, 19 15, 11 27, 28 19, 14 18, 17 14, 10 17, 21 14, 27 32, 19 15. Drawn. (f) A neat tit-bit of end play. (g) A vicious move, and one that ought to “ bring the bacon home.” In fact, I have a system I apply which I call " Theoretic Checkers,” and that is to survey the situation as you are playing the game. For instance, note at this stage that the Whites arc very strong in their double corner, and the White’s King row is intact, with the exception of the piece on square 29, which is out, and that the Whites threaten square 14 with an exchange. You can also play 24 19, or 30 26, or 30 25, or 31 26, or 17 13, or 17 14, some of which may force a win. You cannot make them all at once. However, you can look them all over and move what you consider best in the five minute time limit. Do not keep gazing at the board like most players do. Take up one line after another and exhaust It with lightning-like rapidity by saying: “If I go there, he will play here, and then I will go there,” etc., until you get to the end of the line, and then take up another line instead of gazing at the board. Keep working fast, and if you do so you will find that the five minute limit is long enough. Speed in reaching conclusions must be your motto. I once told Herr Lasker, the great Chess player, that I could improve his game 25 per cent., and after I got through he Said: *’ Oh, yes, and 50 per cent."

Remember what Goldsmith wrote about gazing and which is : " And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew, that one small head should carry all they know.” Try and make the eye and the mind travel together so that you can see the outcome of a line in less than a second. Reach conclusions accurately and so fast that it will surprise you. Practice it. Remember that practice makes perfection. Take the diagram in this game and place it on the board. After you know the solution, see how fast you can see the ending without moving a man. This is the way to acquire speed. Do it with all end games, and you will soon note the remarkable advancement you will make. Now keep the men on the board In front of you and survey the black situation. You will observe that the Black King row has the men out of squares 2 and 4, and that the Black strength depends largely upon the triangle position which is made up of the pieces on squares 1,3, 6,7, and 10. Now before you move the man from 23 18, keep the men on the board and study my suggestions, and if it does not aid you in across board play, then tell me that you do not enjoy my “ Theoretic Checkers." If it meets with your approval, tell me about it, and I will gratuitously shortly give you another talk. (h) I noted the following unusual " shot ” play while playing 24 19, 16 23, 30 26. 23 30, 27 24, 20 27, 32 7, 11 15. (1) 15 19 also draws.

KEEN CRITICISMS. GAME 8036. —G. A. Brown. Mr Fred Stuthridge writes: After the forty-eighth move this position arises— Black 3, 13, 14, 15, King 31. White 12, 21, 22, 25, King 8. Black to play. Note (c) says 15 19 allows a draw. - I would like to see the play for a draw, as I am unable to find it. However, the draw pops in sight at the fifty-fifth move. Black 3, 13, 15, 18, King 19. White 21, 22, 25, King 11. White to move. Not 11 16, but 21 17, 19 24, 17 14, 24 27, 25 21, 18 25. Drawn.

SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS. Problem 6521 (W. B. Walker). —Black 1, 8, 14, King 31. White 5,9, 26, King 21. White to move and win.

(a) If Black moves his King he will fare worse. Problem 6522 (J. C.. Launceston). —Black 8, 11, 12, King 27. White 20, Kings 18, 19. White to move and draw.

TOWN v. COUNTRY. I hope players in town and country are keeping this match steadily In view. Arrangements are complete so far as the carrying out of the match is concerned, and it only remains now for the players to roll up in force to ensure an enjoyable time. Already the names of 20 players, who intend to take part, are to hand, of these a number will play for the country, and the Draughts editor would like to hear from others who would like to have a board. Remember, the Athenaeum, Octagon, Thursday, June 4. DRAUGHTS MATCH. An event is to take place in Dunedin on Wednesday, May 27, which will be a new experience for the city for some time. It is many years since a Draughts match was held between two separate clubs in Dunedin, but that happy event has been brought about when the Otago Club, with headquarters at the Athenseum, accepted a challenge from the Tramways Club. The Tramways are prepared to place 12 men in the field, and although they will have to face a pretty hot contingent from the main club, they feel confident of being able to put up a stern fight.

9 13 4 8 9 14-b 15 24 13 17 2 6 24 20 25 22 22 18 28- 19 21 14 22 17 11 15 8 11 1 5 7 11 10 17 6 9 22 17 27 24 18 9 22 18 26 22 17 13 13 22 5 9 y 14 3 7 17 26 d-9 14 25 11 24 19 26 22 18 9 31 22 18 9 8 15 15 24 11 15 6 13 7 10-c 11 15 29 25-a 28 19 32 28 30 26 23 18 9 6 —then 15 2 4. Drawn.

Black M'Laughlin ; White : Brown. s 13 17 13 10 17 31 22 1 5 11 7 24 20-a Fi 9 24 19-c 6 10 22 17 21 25 11 15 29 25 15 24 22 18 11 16 i 2 22 17 9 14 28 19 3 7 27 23 25 30 13 22 25 22 11 16 32 27 5 9 2 9 55 11 8 ii 20 11 7 11 18 15 30 26 8 15 27 24 J 23 30 26-d 9 14 e-23 18 21 17 -b 14 18 26 19 2 6 15 11 Drawn 4 8 23 14 17 26 26 22 14 21

11 16 22 18 3 10 14 9 22 26 20 16 o o 18 8 11 21 17-h 6 10 17 22 19 23 e 11 18 9 11 15-d 9 6 26 31 16 11 or 22 6 22 30 25 15 18-1 22 29 23 27 ■» 7* 20 26 17 16 19 6 2-b 1 3 11 I 22 17 •> 6 25 21 10 14 27 23 27 31 9 11 c-23 18-g 19 23 2 7 20 27 7 2 18 9 10 15 17 14 18 22 28 24 31 26 14 18 14 10 17 7 10 31 26 2 7

29 25 15 18 21 14 14 17 24 20 26 22 4 «-a. 17 13 23 26 10 14 2G 19 7 10 25 22 7 10 31 22 •17 21 32 16 22 17 11 16 14 7 18 25 14 17 12 19 Drawn

1 5 9 34 20 27 11 15-e 15 24 23 26 30 25 27 23 31 24 23 18 28 19 19 15 3 9 18 27 16 20 14 23 10 17 26 30 25 21 32 23 24 19 17 14 21 14 f-14 10

26 22 14 18 17 14 11 16 1 6 24 28 8 11-a 9 6 10 17 t> 1 20 24 27 32 22 17 1 10 21 23 16 20 23 27 W. wins

19 24 26 30 24 19 13 9 19 24 15 19 27 31 24 19 21 17 19 24 10 15 23 27 24 19 30 25 19 24 9 6 18 23 8 12 31 2G 19 24 17 13 24 19 12 16 28 32 19 24 25 21 24 19 6 10 24 28 Drawn